News

Harriers and Pitmen battle out goalless friendly

A STRONG Kidderminster starting XI played out an entertaining draw at Conference North side Hednesford.

Manager Gary Whild picked what could be close to the side that would kick-off the Conference Premier at Lincoln on August 9.

Most tantalisingly, he fielded the three-pronged strike force of Michael Gash, Reece Styche Craig Reid and there were signs that the attacking trio could play together.

It was the home side who went closest early on when James Hurst curled a decent effort just wide of the target.

With less than a quarter of an hour played Tom Thorley also tried his luck after the ball was pulled back to him just outside the area but the shot was deflected away for a corner.

Gash went close with a 17th-minute free-kick that was driven just over the bar before Styche's opportunistic attempt from distance sailed wide.

On 24 minutes, Hednesford really should have been ahead after a neat move saw the ball floated to the far post where Paul McCone netted back across the face, only for Steve Diggin to put wide on the volley from around three yards.

Marvin Johnson, who had a spell on loan at the Pitmen last season, registered good attempts either side of the break for Harriers, the latter a drive wide of the target when placed to perhaps do better.

Seven after the hour Reid saw a goal-bound header deflected wide before substitute Reece Hales played in Kyle Storer whose shot was also well defended.

Johnson again warmed the hands of the keeper with an attempt from distance late on but the game could have been won in the final minute as Alex Melbourne chased down Jasbir Singh's attempted clearance - the ball almost landed in the back of the net but dropped wide with what was virtually the last action of the match.